System of electric-motor control.



f hy one electric CLARENCE H. NORWOOD, ,0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SYSTEM F ELECTRIC-MOTOR CONTROL. i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3, 1913.

` Application filed January 4, 1913. Serial No. 740,158.

liull. clear. conciso, and exact description,

i ence heilig had to the accompanying drawings, forming; a part of this specification. l

invention relates to power 'transmission mechanism including motors and means wherein' one motor may mechanically prevent the oilicratirai oit the controller for another motor during` the operation of the tirst motor to prevent the second motor from operating.;` until the ii yt motor has operated.

lily invention linds a useful embodiment in those power transmission systems including electric motors which are associated with apparatus and circuits therefor Wheremotor is prevented from opanother electric motor has gone through a n'ven cycle oit operations Whereupou the li mentioned motor is permitted to operada ln one embodiment of my invention, when thc first mentioned motor is worliiiur through a `given cycle of operations the second mentioned motor is prevented from opel-aria j, this second mentioned motor h., nu.' 'permitted to operate when the mentioned motor has completed its eration until,

In the simplified form of the invention I provide elcetro-magnetic mechanism for locating thc circuit opening and closing switch or circuit. controller belonging to the motor whose operation to he delayed until another ,i otor has worked through a cycle. liihere each of two motors to have its operation deterred until the other has worked through its cycle the switches or controllers oli hoth i'notors are provided with the loci-:irny means.

Another feature of my invention includes -a master switch in the main circuit and an electro-magnetic device so cooperatively related with the master switch as to prevent the operation thereof to close the main circuit until all the apparatus is in normal or idle condition, this electro-magnetic device including' an element which prevents the openingl of the master switch while the apparatus is in operation.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing` showing the preferred embodiment thereof when two motors are employedy each of which is to operate successively to the other, the drawing diagrammatically illustrating the motors and the associate circuit controllers and electro-magnetic devices for realizing' the objects of the invention.

I have diagramniatically shown two electric motors l and 2 which are, in the embodiment here shown, alternately supplied with current from a generator 3 (a dire-ct current generator being` shown though the invention is not to he limited to t-he use of direct current) throuzghy the intermediation of controlling devices land 5, individual respectively to the motors l and 2 and which are mechanically limited to successive operation. It is to he understood how-- ever that I do not limit myself to the employment of means for mechanically locking both controllers since the invention is realized in the employment of but one mechanically locked `controller for preventing its associate motor from operating until the other motor has operated. It is also obvious that the number of motors may be increased and that a variety of controllers or motor circuit opening,- and closing' switches may he employed `in place of the type of controllers diagrammatically illustrated at 4i and The type of controller shown at l and 5 is such that the motors may be gradually brought to speed and may be gradually brought to rest though I do not limit myself to the graded control of the motor circuits since switches may he employed in place of the controllers illustrated that merely open and merely close. the motor circuits.

The circuit of the motor l includes a rnolxnycircuit opening and closingl switch G, diagrammatically shown as a hand operated switch hut which, by well known mechanism, may he operated when the motor has worked through its cycle. The circuit ot the motor 2 is provided with ya similar switch. T. The portion of the motor circuit that includes the switch G terminates at a controller 4 and the portion of the motor circuit that includes the switch 7 terminates at a controller 5. These controllers may, as stated, hc provided With the usual multiplicity of contacts for grading the speeds of the motors, and as these contacts torni no essential part of my present invention I llO the controller handles 11 are in central or,

normally idle positions, in which positions no current 1s delivered to the motors. The

i handles 11 are associated with locking devices, to be described, which normally serve to prevent such operation ot' the handles as would permit closure of the motor circuits. but which locking devices permit sutlicient operation of the handles to enable the contacts 10 to be brought into engagement with the contacts 12 and 13 for the purposeof closing circuits through magnets to release the locking devices from the handles.

As illustrated, each handle 11 is provided with a disk continuation in which there is' formed a locking notch 1ct having sntlicient peripheral length at all times to permit. the associate contact 1() to be moved into engagement with the accompanying contacts 12 and 1b for the purpose which has been stated. llach locking notch 1'1 receives an end of a solenoid core l5 when the associate handle is centrally placed and the coil ot the vsolenoid is denergized, the solenoid core constituting means tor mechanically limiting the operation ot the controller handle to prevent the associate motor from being included in circuit when such core engages the notch 14. A spring 16 is shown in association with each core 15 for engaging such core with the associate notch 14.. rlhe solenoid coil 17 is wound and so positioned as to attract the solenoid core away from the not-ch 14 in opposition to the torce oi the spring 16 when the solenoid coil is energized. The circuit tor each solenoid coil 17 may be traced from the lower terminal of the generator 3 to the contact 13, the contact 10, the contat-11.12, the solenoid coil, thence by connections hereinafter to be described and which are plainly illustrated, to the upper terminal of the generator 3.

The motor 1 operates an eccentric 18 and the motor 2 operates an eccentric 1l), belts 2O being illustrated as the driving connections between the motors and said eccentrics, though it is to be understood that the motors operate at very high speeds as compared with the ecccntrics, to which end any suitable power transmission mechanism may be employed. The eccentrics 18 and 19 are provided with eccentric rods 21 that carry con tact bars 22. lThe Contact bars 22 serve to connect contacts 23, the contacts 23 of the motorl which is assumed to be the first to operate being normally separated from the associate contact bar 22, while the contacts 23 of the motor 2 are normally connected by rocas?? the associate contact bar 22. It is assumed that the motor 1 will have performed its cycle of-operations when the eccentric 18 has operated through half of its cycle at which time suming that the handle 11 of the controller pertaining to motor 1 has been restored to central position, after this motor has Worked through its cycle, a circuit is established through the solenoid coil 17 pertaining to motor 2 to permit'the controller pertaining to this motor to be operated to enablesuch motor to perform its work and which circuit may be traced from the lower ,terminal of the generator 3 through the Contact 13, the actuated contact 10, the contact 12, the solenoid coil 17 pertaining to motor 2, the contacts 24 pertaining to the controller of motor .l that are closed by the contact bar 25 (carried by an'extcnsion of the solenoid core and brought into engagement with the contacts 24 by the associate spring 16 when the associate solenoid con 17 is included in open circuit upon the restoration of the'controller handle 11 to central position) the contacts 23, the contacts 26 of the master switch that l are then engaged by master switch Contact bar 27, thence to the upper terminal of the generator 3. The controller belonging to motor 2 may then be operated to permit said meter to work through its cycle, the switch 7 being suitably opened when the motor 2 has worked through its cycle. As' soon as the motor has begun to operate, the contacts 22 and 2S associated therewith are separated so as to establish a gap in rthe cir cuit of the solenoid coil 17 belonging to the controller oli motor 1 so thatI this solenoid coil cannot be energixed until the motor 2 has worked through its cycle, which is when its eccentric 19 has worked through its cycle whereupon the contact bar 22 is again in connection with the contacts 23. Thus after the motor 2 has worked through its cycle the motor 1 may again be permitted to work through its cycle in the manner which has been described. The solenoid coil 17 individual to motor 2 is serially related to the contacts 2-land25 so that this solenoid coil cannot bc energized until the controller hanldle individual to motor 1 is in central posi` tion. The solenoid coil individual to motor 1 is similarly serially related with contact elements 2t and 25 individual to motor 2 and 'the control of whose relationship is similar to that ofcontacts 24 and individual tomotor 1, whereby the `controller individual to motor 1 cannot be operated until the handle of the controller individual to motor 2 has been restored to central position. 1 do not limit myself' however to the employment of the contacts 24 and 2: in their-association With the controllers, nor.I

be employed tor positioning the Contact bare` "ilieec notches are capable of receiving the ae has been started, do lt limit myself to the equipment whereby the motor 2, second to operate, prerents motor l, from again operating until the motor 2 hat; worked through its,` cycle. lThe eccentrics 19 are shown as one type of .mechanism that may 2Q, but the invention is not to be limited thereto-, l

i willinow describe that `feature of my invention which is shown in association with the novel ieaturee 'which have been specilically describetl in connection with the dra/ue ing; but' which is not to be limited in lite` use to .euch aesociation. This feature ot the invention includee` a master switch liaving` the contacte 2o and if", the Contact 27 being zarried upon i longitudinally moi'abie arm ""3 that iii provided with two notchee` :159, 3U.

prdiecting ends ot a 'solenoid core 3l when pressed outwardly by a spring when the solenoid c'oi'l 33 pertaining to the core 3l is iiei'nerggizril. The coil 33 is energized when the apparatus is idle and the controller haudlr are in central position, the circuit; then eeiablielied for this eolenoid coil being; traceable iront the lower terminal oi the generator fi through the contacte 534i (that are joined by the contact bar l'icrtaining to motor t when this" motor i5 idle), the contarte; a pertaining to the controller indi vidual to motor l that are connected by the contact bar 3ft carried by the core of such controller, euch engagement being' eti'ected when tho eonirolier handle is centi-tiled, the contarte' 35 aud titl pertaining to the Controller individual Vto motor 2 and .similar in disposition and tirruit arrangement to the correspondingly nimibered contactel of the rmitroiier imlividual to niotor l, thence to the upper terminal of the ,generator 3.

'the embodiment of the inventionillustinted' ir; oll crvice in connection with the oprratii'in of bridgea in which the niotor l servies to unlatch the normally latchcd bridge, tiumotor 2 then operating to open the bridge and alter the bridge has been opned sidiit-ieutly long to close the bridge wherca't'ter the motor l operates again to laten the bridge. lLinder these circuuistances the motor i not equipped with contacte 34'. When the motors have perforn'ied their work and the controller handles are in central poeitionsr.` the rmdenoid coil-33 is energized so that' the core it ie withilre vn 'from engagetli the arm 2S, tois being` the nornial iriativ -elatii v. ot lsaid core and arm when the ap ratti:`-l is .normal eo that the master ewiteh may be closed when it ist deeirod airain to ari the motore' into operation. li'hen the apparatus is idle the master Switch its open and cannot: be closed it for any r saaon the circuit of the solenoid coil 33 is open, ae tor example, when the controller inert wi handle@ are not centrally positioned, the solenoid core then engaginz the upper notch 2t). .it the master switch haisI been clofled it maintained closed until the motorel have 'completed their work by the engagement of the core Si with the notch 30, the core being released owing to the denergization of the coil 3:33 occurringl as a consequence ot' the disconuection of the contacts 35 olf the contr0ller individual to `niotor l.

vWhile .i have herein Shown and particularly deecribed the preferred embodiment. of my invention it is obvioul that changes 'may readily be made withoutdeparting from the spirit ci' the invention and I do not therefore wish to be limited to precise details of construction and circuit ari-angelitent ,specifically set forth., but

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to Secure by Letters lMteut'. as fol lows l. A power transmission systen'i including` two electric motors whose order of operation ik; to be controlled; circuits t'or said motore; a switch .for controllingg` the circuit ot the motor thaty is to be the second to operate;

and mechanism governed by the lirst motor to operate 'tor holding,` the Switch while the tiret. u'iotor is operating;` then to prevent the second motor from operating, such mechanism being released when the tiret motor has operated then to permit the second motor to operate.

2. A power transmission system including two electric motore` whose order ot' operation is to be crmtrolled; circuits for Said motors; a switch for controlling the circuit of the motor that is to be the second to operate; an electro-magnetic device for locking said switch to prevent the motor to which it is individual `from being operated; a circuit. `tor said electro-magnetic device; and switching mechanism 'for governing the circuit ot' said elcetro-magnetic device and governed by the 'n'iotor first to be operated, this switching' mechanism serving;- tzo controll the circuit ot the electro-magnctic device to maintain laaid Switch locked when the motor tiret to he operated is operating' aud operatinp to alter Such circuit when the luotor first to he operated hasI operated to release the switch thcrtatlfter to permit the operation oi' the motor sec-oud to be operattal.

l. A power transmission System including two .motors whose order oi: operation ie to be controlled; circuits'forsaid motore; a contri'iller for the motor that is to be the second to, operate; and mechanism gorerned by the tiret motor to operate for holding-,the con? troller while the .tiret motor is operatiup' then to prevent the. second motor eratingr, such mechanism being' when the first motor has operated.

4. A. power'transmission system including two electric motors: Whose order of operation from opreleased 4 I j nosas?? is to be controlled circuits for said motors;

a switch individual to each motor for controlling its operation; an electro-magnetic device for locking the switch individual to one motor; a circuit for said electro-mag netic device; and switching mechanism governed by the switch individual to the other motor and taking part in the control of the circuit of said electro-magnetic device.

5. A power transmission system including two electric motors whose order of operation is to be controlled; circuits for said motors; a switch individual to each mot-or for con* trolling its operation; an electro-magnetic device for locking the switch individual to one motor; a circuit for said electro-magnet'ic device; and switching mechanism governed by the switch individual to the other motor and taking part in the control of the circuit of said electro-magnetic device, said switching mechanism being so interrelated witlif-the motor controlling switch -t-hat opcratesy itas to maintain the other motor controlling switch in idle position when. the motor which is individual to the switch that operates said switching mechanism is opcrating.

6. A power transmission system including an electric motor having a controlling circuit; a switch for governing its operation; a master switch taking part in associating the motor with a source of operating current; electro-magnetic means for preventing and permitting the operation of said master switch; a circuit for said electro-magnetic means and switching mechanism jointly controlled by the motor and its controlling switch for governing the circuit of electro-magnetic means and operating to prevent the closure of the master switch when the motor and its controlling switch are not in normal idle condition.

7. A power transmission system including an electric motor having a controlling eircuit; a switch for governing its operation; a master switch taking part in associating the motor with a source of operating current; electroemagnetic means for preventing and permitting the operation of said master switch; a circuit for said electro-magnetic means and switching mechanism jointly controlled by the motor and its controlling switch for governing the circuit of said electro-magnetic means and operating to maintain the master switch closed when the motor 1s 1n operation.

In witness whereof, l' hereunto subscribe my naine this 26th day of June A. D., 1912.

' CLARENCE H. NORVVGD. v Witnesses LILLIAN M. Hnnvvrs,A

J. E. NooNAn. 

